Ex-RJH band director’s son dies

Charges filed against Kyle day care center director in death of infant

A 10-week-old infant who died Thanksgiv ing morning af ter sustaining head injuries at a Kyle day care center was the son of a former Rockdale Junior- High School band director and his wife.

Benjamin Spencer, son of Dee and Robin Spencer, died about 3 a.m. Thursday in Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin.

Dee Spencer is director of bands at Simon Middle School in Kyle. He was RJH band director from fall 2006 through spring 2009.

Benjamin Spencer died a week after being injured at the Little Lyons Day Care Center in Kyle.

Christina Lyons, 32, who operated the day care center from her home, was arrested and charged with injury to a child.

She ha s been relea sed on $50,000 bond.

SHOCK—
Joe Ray of Round Rock, who was RHS band director for six years and a friend of Spencer’s, said family and friends are “shocked and horrified.”

“This is something nobody should ever have to go through,” Ray said.

Spencer has taken a leave of absence from his position at Simon Middle School.

Robin Spencer is employed at a Lockhart nursing/rehabiliation center.

The couple also have a daughter, three-year-old Aiden, born during their stay in Rockdale.

SUSPICIO NS—< is being investigated by the Kyle Police Department and the Hays County District Attorney’s office.

According to the arrest affadavit, the day care owner told police she left Benjamin on a sofa, about two-feet tall, while she went to the restroom, and returned to find the infant face down on the hardwood floor.

She said she noticed swelling on the left side of Benjamin’s head, tried to call family members, then called 911.

Investigators theorized the information given by Lyons does not conform to the severity of the child’s injuries. Physicians told invest igators Benjamin sustained “severe head trauma and several broken ribs.”

MEMORIAL—
Ray and wife Mary, who still teaches at RJH, were with the family at the hospital.

“Dee and Robin checked out this day care beforehand,” Ray said. “They had their daughter in day care in Rockdale and everything was great.”

A memorial service is set for 1 p.m. Friday at Remembrance Gardens, 4214 North Capitol of Texas Highway in Austin.

“In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, Dell Children’s Hospital or any charity involved with helping children and their families in medical time of need,” Ray said.